Our links with other organisations

Our links with other organisations

Bishop Robert and Mothers Union representatives in a row

Our links with other organisations

The Diocese of Europe, as part of the Church of England, seeks to work with other church traditions to make our unity in Christ visible. We believe that by working with other Churches, we can have a greater impact in our communities and in society as a whole. We are committed to joining with our ecumenical links Ecumenical/Ecumenism Of or referring to cooperation between branches of the Christian church with different beliefs or traditions. in discipleship, mission and worship.

 

Our links

In the Church of England ecumenical work is organised by the Council for Christian Unity. It seeks to promote and further effective ecumenical work at all levels of the Church and to advise those in leadership. Details of provision for ecumenical co-operation can be found in the Diocesan Handbook.

Click here for The Diocesan Handbook
A group of clergy members.
 

Global perspective

As part of the Church of England, the diocese is involved with the World Council of Churches, which is based in Switzerland. Bishop Robert is a member of the WWC's Central Committee.

Our chaplaincies are in nations across continental Europe and beyond where Anglicanism is a minority Christian tradition. We seek to maintain good relations with other Christian traditions in those nations.

For a global perspective of ecumenical work involving the Anglican church and other church traditions, read more on the Anglican Communion website. 

Click here for the Anglican Communion website. 
Bishop Robert leading worship at WCC 2022
 

Other churches and partners

 

The Porvoo Communion

A communion of 15 Anglican and Evangelical Lutheran churches in Europe, including the Church of England. It includes churches in a number of continental European countries including Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

The Church of England is also in communion with the Old Catholic Churches of the Union of Utrecht

 

 

The Conference of European Churches (CEC)

A group bringing together 113 churches from Orthodox, Protestant and Anglican traditions from across Europe for dialogue, advocacy and joint action.

 

 

The Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland

We have a strong relationship with the Evangelische Kirche in Deutschland – the protestant Churches of Germany, and with the French Lutheran and Reformed Churches.

 

Churches under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury

Two Anglican churches in Europe are part of worldwide Anglican Communion but are not separate provinces. Instead, they fall under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury and are described as ‘extra provincial’.

They are:

In each case, their bishops are honorary assistant bishops in the Diocese of Europe.

For details of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s links to other churches within the Diocese in Europe and his representatives (Apocrisiarioi) to the Byzantine and Oriental Churches, refer to Lambeth Palace.

 

Churches under the jurisdiction of the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church

A number of Anglican parishes and clergy are part of the Convocation of American Churches in Europe. They are full members of the US-based Episcopal Church (TEC) and are under the authority its Presiding Bishop. His authority is exercised through a Bishop-in-charge, currently Rt Revd Mark Edington.

 

Relationship with Roman Catholic Church

A strong example of ecumenism within our diocese is the Anglican Centre in Rome – a focal point for information and for Anglican collaboration with various agencies of the Roman Church.

In addition, our previous suffragen, Bishop David serves as co-chair of the International Anglican Roman Catholic Commission for Unity and Mission, IARCCUM.